SIDELINES : Quebec Province Asked to Ante $30 Million to Help Buy Expos

MONTREAL — The Quebec government has been asked to provide up to $30 million in loans toward the purchase of the Montreal Expos, a city official said today.

Expos President Claude Brochu, whom club owner Charles Bronfman charged with finding local investors to buy the team for $100 million, submitted the request to Premier Robert Bourassa’s office Tuesday.

Brochu and the Burns-Fry brokerage firm have reportedly raised $70 million--14 investors with $5 million each--and turned to government for the remainder.

Marielle Seguin, a communications official for Mayor Jean Dore, confirmed that Brochu had requested the government help but denied a report that he had submitted a similar request to the city.

Montreal will consider the possibility of financial involvement only after the Quebec government has decided what to do, she said. “If the Cabinet is interested, then we will discuss our own participation.”